  Côte d’Ivoire signed an MoU with Yaatra Ventures to build a second oil refinery in partnership with SIR.   The project is valued at over CFA3,000 billion ($5.1 billion) and aims to double national refining capacity.   Additional MoUs were signed with U.S. firms for oil block development and renewable energy investment. Côte d’Ivoire has signed a memorandum of...

A 2.5 MW hybrid solar power plant has been inaugurated at the Nigerian Defense Academy in Kaduna, impacting more than 12,368 people. The project is part of the World Bank-funded Energizing Education Program (EEP), managed by the Rural Electrification Agency. It supports a national push to improve energy resilience in education and health institutions. Nigeria continues its transition to...

• 61% of African businesses say AI skills are critical to their success.• All surveyed firms expect an AI talent gap in 2025, with many already affected.• Cybersecurity, AI development, and cloud computing top the list of tech needs. A growing number of African companies are worried about the lack of artificial intelligence (AI) skills on the continent. According to a new report from SAP,...

The engagement marks a significant step toward deepening U.S.-Ghana digital cooperation, positioning Ghana as a strategic partner in the evolving global digital economy. Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has engaged in high-level talks with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to explore partnerships in the digital economy. The discussions, announced on May 16, took...

Ghana plans to allocate 200,000 hectares for new industrial cocoa plantations under Cocobod. The effort aims to offset productivity losses caused by illegal mining, aging trees, and plant disease. Cocoa production dropped 31% since 2019/2020; the government targets a 1 million-ton output. Ghana’s cocoa production has faced ongoing fluctuations, largely due to illegal mining,...

The 2025–2026 Government Action Plan includes the recruitment of 24,000 military and security personnel. Mali allocated $1.11 billion to defense in 2024 amid persistent instability. The plan includes a national military industry and infrastructure development to support armed forces. Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga has announced the recruitment of 24,000 personnel...

Lagos State begins construction of a large aquaculture center on a 35-hectare site. The center will produce 50 million fingerlings and 46,000 tons of fish and feed yearly. The project supports Nigeria’s 10-year plan to grow catfish output by 20% by 2032. The Lagos State government has officially kicked off the construction of a major aquaculture facility called the Lagos...

Acute hunger affected over 295 million people across 53 countries in 2024. Conflicts, climate shocks, and economic pressures cited as key drivers. Nigeria, Sudan, and the DRC among the worst-hit nations. Global food insecurity reached alarming levels in 2024, fueled by ongoing conflicts, climate shocks, and economic instability. The call for urgent, coordinated action is...

Burkina Faso and Senegal reaffirm commitment to deepen cooperation in security, trade, energy, and integration. Bilateral trade reached approximately $58 million in 2023, a figure deemed “low” by the Senegalese Prime Minister. Partnership efforts will target energy, agriculture, and regional security, especially in the Sahel. Burkina Faso and Senegal have reiterated...

Nice Summit : UN Ocean Conference in Nice seen as last chance to reverse overfishing trends by 2030 Morocco emerges as key player amid collapsing stocks, regional inaction, and looming EU sanctions In June, the French city of Nice will host the third United Nations Ocean Conference. For diplomats, it’s another event on the multilateral agenda. But for scientists, fishermen, industry...